The pear and wild plum have bloomed just in time to draw back a nub because as I write this it is supposed to freeze tomorrow. I just smoked my country cured hams. The collards are blooming and I will soon gather their seed and keep them for next year. No, I don’t have to buy all my garden seed. I’ve also got dry peas, rice and honey stored, honey because it never spoils. I heard some honey was found in a tomb somewhere that was hundreds of years old and was still good. I don’t expect to be here another hundred years, so when I go you are welcome to it if you can find it. I guess I was a doomsday prepper long before the television series.
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Diane Feine is our able, efficient, slim, trim, and vivacious administrator at St. Marys Magnolia Manor. There is never a dull moment with Diane. Sporting a Master’s Degree in Education and loaded with a world of experience, she keeps Magnolia Manor in tune and humming. Diane sees to it that the place is kept immaculate and that the residents are carefully cared for. Nevertheless, Diane has a keen sense of humor and loves to pick on her Chaplain--that’s your’s truly.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in opposition to both the Republican and Democrat budget proposals to be voted on this week.
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This letter is in reference to the unwanted pets that are left on our property and road, Howard Brannen Road. As many of you know, the animal shelter is located at the end of Howard Brannen Road. We are continuously having people drop off their unwanted pets on our properties or at the end of the road. We have no control of the animal shelter nor the hours and cannot continue to have unwanted pets left loose. I had someone drop of two puppies and left them in the box of my truck…this is ridiculous! When these unwanted pets are left on Howard Brannen Road, Animal Control will NOT, pick them up, because we are NOT in the city, therefore, we are burdened with unwanted pets. If you do not want your unwanted pets, please contact the Baxley Police Department (Animal Control) so they can guide you on how to have your unwanted pets picked up. All of the residents on Howard Brannen Road will greatly appreciate your understanding in this matter.

It was with great interest that I read your January 23 report on the Grand Jury’s finding in the shooting death of Cpl James M. Dixon III. After thinking about this case for more than a year, I agree with the Grand Jury, and presumably, the GBI findings. Simply stated, James was holding a gun. He would not, or more likely could not surrender his gun so the use of deadly force was justified. Note, however, that the term “justified” is not synonymous with “necessary” or “morally correct” or “humane.” There are still many unanswered questions in this case. Among them are: Did the sheriff determine that his entire department was incompetent to handle one man armed with a shotgun? Did the sheriff have any non-lethal systems at his disposal? Why, after talking to James face to face, did the sheriff walk away and turn him over to SWAT? Did James threaten to harm anyone? If it had been the sheriff’s child instead of James, would he have walked away? I understand that the snipers are trained to shoot only to kill: is their policy “Surrender or die”?
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James Roy Conner, 49, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Conner was born Nov. 11, 1963 in Jacksonville, FL. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and the Baxley Jaycees. He was an Army Veteran having served ten years of which was during Dessert Storm. His father, James Howard Conner, two brothers, Ricky and Ronnie Carter and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Carter, preceded him in death.
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Wanda McDaniel Griffis, 56, of Odum, died Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Wayne Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. The Lakeland, Florida native had lived in the K-Ville Community the past 26 years and was a member of Ritch Baptist Church. She was an Appling County School bus driver for many years and a homemaker who loved taking care of her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Wallace “Bunk” and Erma McDaniel.
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Mary D. Kelley, 80, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2013 at the Appling Nursing and Rehabilitation Pavilion under the care of Southern Care Hospice. She was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County; worked for Concerted Services and a member of Big Oaks Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kelley Sr.; parents, Burch and Pithena Dyal; granddaughter, Cherea Moore and two sisters, Oletha Stephens and Brenda Dyal.
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James Orris Lynch, Sr., 87, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Lynch was born June 18, 1925 in Appling County to the late Abner Hershel Lynch and the late Clara Bowen Lynch. He was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church. Lynch was owner of J. O. Lynch Steel Company.
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James Walter Medders, Jr., 62, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Medders was born Aug. 18, 1950 in Bacon County to the late James Walter Medders, Sr. and the late Valdese Medders Gettys. He was a member of Big Oaks Church of God.
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F. Bart Mixon, 90, died Friday, March 22, 2013. Mixon was born July 27, 1922 in Appling County to the late Eugene Mixon and the late Georgia Bell Crews Mixon. He was a member of the Senior Adult Sunday-School Class of Zoar Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Mixon and son, James Mixon.
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Eugene Stephens, 78, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013 at Appling Healthcare Systems under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. He was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County, a member and Past-Master of Holmesville Lodge #195 of F and A.M. and former owner and operator of Gene’s Diesel and Machine Shop.
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JoAnn Vaughn, 68, of Baxley, died Sunday, March 17, 2013 at her residence under the care of Southern Care Hospice. Mrs. Vaughn was born October 2, 1944 in Alma to the late Frankie Vaughn and the late Jettie Simmons Vaughn. She was a retired English teacher, having taught at Appling County High School and Waycross College. She was a member of Zoar Baptist Church and a member of the Retired Educators Association.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Jeanette Williams, and a brother, J. M. Vaughn.
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On March 21 Appling County Deputies were on North Holton Street to serve a warrant. During service of the warrant a large quantity of marijuana was found, which resulted in the arrest of Edward Radodney Adams, age 27 of Ludowici, and Jason Jones age 35, of Baxley. Jones is charged with aggravated assault, possession of arms by a convicted felon and probation violation. Adams is charged with obstruction of an officer, possession of firearm or knife while trying to commit crimes, VGCSA, marijuana with intent and possession of arms by a convicted felon.
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The Easter Bunny is making a special appearance in Baxley! Everyone is invited to hop on down to Water Works Park located at 93 Tippins St in Baxley on Saturday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m. for a chance to see the Easter Bunny in action. The Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt is sponsored by the City of Baxley and free to the public.
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